No. 18 Rice Wins Pitching Duel

SAN FRANCISCO -
No. 18 Rice scored runs in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings to defeat the UC Santa Barbara baseball team, 2-1, in a classic pitcher's duel at AT&T Park on the final day of the Cal Baseball Classic.

UCSB starter Greg Davis allowed one run on nine hits in 7.1 innings while the Owls' Chase McDowell pitched a complete game, limiting the Gauchos to one run on four hits with four strikeouts.

In the bottom of the ninth, Michael Ratterree hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring the winning run with two outs.

Nick Capito (0-2) took the loss as he allowed one run on two hits in 0.2 innings of relief.

Williams led the team with two hits and a run scored. UCSB broke through with the game's first run in the seventh inning when the Gauchos loaded the bases with nobody out on a single, a walk and a hit batter. Williams scored when Palermo hit into a double play and a ground out ended the inning.

Rice evened things up in the eighth when Anthony Rendon, who doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, scored on a wild pitch. Capito then replaced Davis and got the final two outs of the inning.

However, a leadoff singled and a sac bunt in the ninth inning chased Capito, bringing in Bryce Uhrig. A hit batter loaded the bases before Uhrig induced a pop-out. But, Ratteree's fly ball ended the game.

The team returns home for a three-game series vs. Nevada starting on Saturday, March 19 with a doubleheader. All three home games will be broadcast online by clicking here.